In the upcoming State Senate primary I will be voting for Will Brownsberger. There are three important reasons why.
First, we need a Senator who will put the needs of Watertown and Belmont front and center in their consciousness, rather than focus on Boston. Watertown is a textbook example of a streetcar suburb. Indeed, the Watertown that we now know was brought about in the early 20th century by the electrification of the streetcars which ran along our main thoroughfares.
Despite its official designation as a city, Watertown shares many characteristics with suburbs and small towns that are evolving away from a twentieth century industrial base. Many residents wish to retain many of the characteristics that make Watertown unique. This is a legitimate concern. Thus, we need a Senator who understands the specific, granular, day to day needs of our unique community.
Secondly, Will has built a prominent and respected position in state government over his many years of service. This translates to clout for our community. Will’s recent advocacy for Tax Relief legislation for Watertown is but one recent example of this. It should be noted that this bill was one small step in the battle for affordability.
Finally — whether you agree with Will on every issue or not — he has demonstrated a commitment to diving deeply into the details of issues and policies. Will does his homework. This is especially important in our time when quick takes and superficial analysis have become far too common and accepted.
I hope that my fellow voters will consider these points when deciding how to cast their ballot in September.
Joseph Levendusky
Watertown Resident